Safety fears lead to ferry cancellations

Two more Steam Packet sailings have been cancelled, for what the company calls 'safety reasons'.

The service from Douglas to Heysham at 7.45pm today (Friday), and the return at 2.15am tomorrow, have been called off, because of the deteriorating conditions in the Irish Sea.

Confirming the cancellations, the Steam Packet draws particular attention to 'an imminent north-westerly gale, with gusts of 40 knots plus at Heysham Port this evening'.

The wind is expected to ease by the early hours of tomorrow morning, but winds are still expected to gust to 40 knots.

Tomorrow's services to and from Birkenhead will switch to Heysham, with the departure from Douglas at 8am and the return at 2pm.

Foot passengers in both directions will be transferred by coach between Liverpool and Heysham, with the coach from Liverpool leaving the Pier Head at 11.30am.

Sunday's services between Douglas and Birkenhead will also switch to Heysham.